The Great Southern Trendkill Songs Ranked
The Great Southern Trendkill is the eighth studio album by American heavy metal band Pantera, released on May 7, 1996 through East West Records. It reached number 4 on the Billboard 200 chart, and stayed on the chart for 16 weeks. Phil Anselmo recorded the vocals alone at Trent Reznor’s Nothing Studios in New Orleans while Dimebag Darrell, Rex Brown, and Vinnie Paul recorded the music at Chasin Jason Studios in Dalworthington Gardens. Considered Pantera’s most aggressive album, The Great Southern Trendkill is known for featuring much screaming, most notably on “Suicide Note Pt. II” and “The Great Southern Trendkill” while also featuring some of the fastest tempos and most down-tuned guitars (“The Underground in America” and “(Reprise) Sandblasted Skin” were played in standard D flat tuning, with the 6th string tuned to a low G flat.) that the band ever recorded. It also has a more experimental nature, such as acoustic guitars and ballads. Here are all of The Great Southern Trendkill songs ranked.
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11. 13 Steps to Nowhere
“When this song is heavy, it’s very heavy. The words are almost indistinguishable in places. Yet this track, despite that, doesn’t really stand out. Shame, because the next two do, in a big way.”
10. Living Through Me (Hell’s Wrath)
“Another somewhat pants track, because it goes on so long and has not so excellent lyrics. By now you may have tired of the constant shrieking from Phil, so this one may be the one to hit fast forward on. Except for the excellent break in the song, which is filled with disturbing random Phil talk before breaking back into the relentless assault again. Nearly death metal standard heavy.”
9. (Reprise) Sandblasted Skin
“Using one of the riffs from the last tune to really kick ass. Good speed and drumming from Vinnie Paul, and though, like the previous one, it doesn’t go anywhere fast, it’s still quite a good shot at the genre. Not the best two parter I’ve ever heard, that’s got to go to Parabol/Parabola by Tool off their latest, Lateralus. But a good enough leadout.”
See more: Pantera Albums Ranked
8. The Underground In America
“A pretty good shot at rock, which doesn’t really go anywhere but does good at what it does. Kudos to the clever link from this to the next song…Phil screaming “THE TREND IS DEAD!!!!” Wow.”
7. Suicide Note Pt. I
“A beautiful mellow song about someone writing a suicide note, which is powerful in the sense it touches the more wussy among the Pantera fanbase. Yet if that didn’t hit your button…”
6. War Nerve
“Another personal favourite, with some extreme soloing from Dimebag Darrell and even more extreme lyrics, about how people – namely the media – blast Phil for what and who he is…”
5. Suicide Note Pt. II
“If that one was someone writing the note, this is him doing it. Like 13 Steps, this song is heavy, dark, but considerably faster and perfect moshpit material, unlike that song. The song may go on for a while, but this one has the finest Dimebag solo at 1:58. Rock.”
See more: Pantera Songs Ranked
4. The Great Southern Trendkill
“Much like the last CD, Far Beyond Driven, this starts heavy. VERY heavy. In fact, this is probably the heaviest Pantera moment, EVER, even more so than Use My Third Arm off FBD. For the first 14 seconds, an ear-splitting scream and wall of guitars tears your ears to bits. Charming. Followed by a very heavy verse and chorus, and a groove laden lead-out, which takes some repeated listening to truly appreciate.”
3. Drag the Waters
“A good single type song, the only one on the album deemed worthy of radio play, and it’s still heavy. During the chorus, an excellent tempo change and syncopation comes in and surprises every listener on the planet. Very nice, one of the best.”
2. 10s
“About Phil’s overdose. Suitably mellow, though the solos and groove still remain intact here. But this kind of thing is done better in two other songs on this album, even though the lyrics remain very touching.”
1. Floods
“To relieve your ears, here is the finest track on the CD. Nice and mellow, yes. Dark? Of course. With the finest singing on the CD, and some of the best soloing, you’ll be humming the lead out guitar solo for weeks. I was.”